Bag frame catch lock



Sept. 10, 1963 w. E. ATKINSON BAG FRAME CATCH LOCK Filed July 31, 1962a1. Jllwam BY J ATTORNEY-9 United States Patent 3,103,115 BAG FRAMECATCH LOCK Wallace E. Atkinson, Petershurg, Va., assignor to LongManufacturing Company, Inc., Petersburg, Va., a corporation of VirginiaFiled July 31, 1962, Ser. No. 213,811 4 Claims. (Cl. 70-71) The presentinvention relates in general to combined side catches and locks for theframes of travelling bags and similar articles of luggage, with specialreference to bags having a pair of hinged channel frames.

Side catch locks of the types heretofore available on the commercialmarket for use with luggage having a pair of hinged channel frames to besecured together in confronting relation have generally been of rathercomplex construction and do not lend themselves readily to ease oreconomy of manufacture. Many of such locks require a spring loadedmechanism to open the catch, which is by its nature highly susceptibleto jamming when the luggage is overpacked,-which renders the locksubject to opening under the influence of a slight blow or jar, andwhich requires frequent servicing to keep the mechanism in properworking order. Further, the lock components of such devices whichreceive the key and secure the catch usually are provided on thestationary portion of the device necessitating removal of the key beforethe movable portion carrying the catch can be shifted to unlockingposition.

-An object of the present invention is the provision of a novel catchand lock mechanism for use with luggage which obviates theabove-mentioned disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novelcatch and lock mechanism for use with hinged luggage frames, in whichthe movable parts have the appearance of substantial mass and depth, butWherein substantially all parts are composed of sheet metal shaped byordinary stamping processes to insure uniformity and economy ofmanufacture.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novelcatch lock mechanism for luggage frames, which is highly dependable overa long period of use and which is provided with a simplified lockmechanism providing a structure of fewer parts, which may be assembledmore quickly, and which consequently can be produced at lower cost.

Other objects, advantages and'capabilities of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, showing only a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a -bag frame equipped witha catch lock mechanism embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section view of the catch lock mechanism,taken along the lines 2- 2 of FIG- URE l, and illustrating the same inclosed condition;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the catch lock mechanism,excluding the catch plate cover;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse section View taken along the line 4-4of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the bolt member for thecatch lock mechanism may be formed.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several figures, the referencecharacters and 11 designate the two channel-shaped frame members of asuitcase 12.

or the like, which are hinged together at their ends in the usualmanner. The combined side catch means and lock are generally indicatedby the reference character 13, and comprise an elongated base platemember 14 stamped from sheet metal and having a pair of clinching lugs.15 depending fromjits opposite ends. The lugs 15 are adapted to bepassed through registering apertures in the outermost channel frame 10and clinched over the underside of the channel frame member 10 to securethe base plate member 14 to one of the frame members. The base platemember 14 is formed with a top panel 16 bounded by downwardly dependingside flanges 17 and an end flange 17' adapted to rest endwise on theoutermost frame member 10. The top panel 16 is provided with a pair oflaterally spaced, rearwardly projecting ears 18 at the end thereofopposite the end flange 17', which ears terminate in portions which areoffset upwardly relative to the plane of the top panel 16 and lie in aplane substantially parallel thereto. The top panel is also providedwith an elongated central aperture 19 having an extension 19' projectingtoward the end of the base plate member 14 having the flange 17' and akeeper aperture 20 disposed immediately adjacent the end flange 17.

The base plate member 14 serves as the support for the movable catchplate assembly 21 which comprises a catch plate cover 22 preferablyformed of sheet metal having -a top wall 23 bounded laterally by sidewalls 24 and by a free end wall 25 and a hinged end wall 26. The side.walls 24 and end walls 25, 26 are of sufficient height to give the cover22 the appearance of a block of considerable rnass and are spacedtransversely a suflicient distance to overlap the side flanges 17 of thebase plate member 14 and receive the same in completely nested relationtherein.

A catch plate 27 is disposed in nested relation within the catch platecover 22 and is carried thereby. The catch plate 27 is a substantiallyflat plate member de signed to be disposed close to the top wall 23 ofthe cover 22, one end 28 of the catch plate 27 having a central notch 29therein and being designed to abut against the upper rear corner of thecover 22 at the juncture of the top wall 23 and hinged end wall 26, andthe other end 30 of the catch plate 27 having an upwardly offsetformation 31 adapted to butt against the underside of the top wall 23 atthe free end thereof. The free end wall 25 of the cover 22 is bent toassume an acute angle with the top wall 23 and thereby restrain theadjacent end of the catch plate 27 within the cover 22, and the notchedend 28 of the catch plate 27 is restrained in nested relation within thecover 22 against the top wall 23 by means of a spacer member 32 havingan upper edge 33 provided with a central tongue 33a designed to fit intothe notch 29 flanked by surfaces 33b adapted to bear against the undersurfaces of the upwardly offset portions of ears 118 and hold the sameagainst the catch plate 27. The opposite or lower edge 34 of the spacermember 32 is provided with a notch 34a to receive a lug 35 at the lowerend of the hinged end wall 27 and be bent under the spacer member 32 torestrain the parts in assembled relation.

A catch tongue 36 is fixed to the catch plate 27 in downwardlyprojecting relation to extend through the extension 19' of the aperture19 in the top panel 16 of the catch housing 14 and be selectivelyprojected through the aligned apertures 10', 11' of the bag frames 10,11 on pivotal movement of the catch plate assembly 21 about the hingedconnection for-med by the cars 18 of the base plate member 14. A bowedleaf spring 37 having one end seated in a notch 36 at the back of thetongue 36 and the other end restrained by a lug 38 struck up from thetop panel 16 and bounding the rearmost end of the aperture 19 isprovided to resiliently urge the catch plate 27 upwardlyand downwardlyrespectively when the end of the spring 37 seated in the notch 36" isdis-i posed above and below a position substantially midway between theupper and lower limits of its travel. The shoulder 36a on the tongue 36engages a limit stop formed by a depression formed on the top panel 16bounding the aperture extension 19 to limit the upward travel of thecatch plate assembly 21. Downward travel is limited by abutment of thecatch plate 27 with the top panel 16 of the base plate member 114.

A look mechanism, generally indicated at 39, is provided in the hingedcatch plate assembly 2 1 and is of a particulary simple and inexpensiveconstruction. This lock mechanism is covered by the usual rotatable keybarrel 40 having a slot through which the key bit may be projectedmounted in the cover 2 2 to rotate in the usual circular opening in thetop wall 23 provided therefor, and comprises a unitary, one-piecerotatable bolt member 41. This bolt member 41 may be stamped from apiece of sheet metal to forma substantially circular head or flange 42disposed to rotate about its center in a circular aperture 43 in thecatch plate 27, below which depends a U- shaped bolt portion '44designed to receive the end of the operating bit of a key and having alaterally extending projection or nose 45 forming the operating bolt ofthe lock mechanism. This bolt member 41 may be formed by bending asuitably shaped sheet metal blank having the general configurationillustrated in FIGURE 5 to shape the depending bolt portion 44- into anupwardly opening channel, and then dishing the terminal substantiallysemicircular portions of the blank to provide the circular head orflange 42. An outwardly projecting detent 46 is formed at onecircumferential point along the periphery of the circular head 42 toproject slightly into one of two diametrically opposed notches 47 in thebounding walls of the aperture 43 to releasably restrain the bolt member41 at the looking or unlocking angular portions to which it may beadjusted. The keeper aperture 20 in the top panel 16 of the base platemember 114 is formed with a radially enlarged sector 20 at a positionto'permit passage of the nose 45 of the bolt portion 44 when the boltmember occupies the unlocking position, the bolt nose 45 being disposedin underlapping relation to portions of the base plate top panel 16 atthe other angular positions of the bolt member 41 to restrain the catchplate assembly 21 in locked relation with the base plate member 14.

In the use and operation of this catch lock mechanism, when the catchplate assembly 21 is swung to open position, the lower end of the catchtongue 36 terminates above the plane of the lowermost hinged panelmember 11 so that the channel members It and 11 may be swung laterallyrelative to each other. The catch plate assembly 21 is resiliently heldin this open position by the bowed leaf spring 37 until manually shiftedtherefrom.

Upon manual forcing of the catch plate assembly 21 to the closedposition, the manual closing force is resiliently resisted by the bowedleaf spring 37 until the outer end of the leaf spring seated in thenotch 36 passes through a point substantially midway between its limitsof travel, after which a downward resilient bias is exerted on the catchtongue 36 and catch plate assembly 21 to bring the latter into closedrelation with the base plate member 14. In this position, the catchtongue 36 is projected through the aligned apertures 11' of the hingedchannel members it) and 11 when the latter are in aligned relation, andthe bolt portion 44' of the lock mechanism 39 is projected through thekeeper aperture to a position where the bolt portion nose 4:5 lies belowthe plane of the base plate top panel 16. Upon insertion of theoperating bit of a key through the rotatable key barrel 40 to seat theend of the key bit in the bolt portion 44 of the bolt member 41, androtation of the key through approximately .1 80", the bolt member 41 andits looking nose 45 will be rotated to a position underlying portions ofthe base plate top panel 1 6 bounding the keeper aperture 20 to restrainthe parts in locked condition.

While but one particular embodiment of the invention has beenparticularly shown and described, it is apparent that variousmodifications may be made in the invention without departing from thespirit and scope thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only suchlimitations shall be placed thereon as are set forth in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotatable key lock bolt member for interlocking two separable catchmembers including a first catch member having a circular opening thereinand a second catch member having a keeper aperture of a selected normaldiameter including a radially enlarged sector at a selected unlockingangular position therealong, said bolt member being formed of anintegral stamping of sheet metal and comprising an enlarged head portionat the top thereof of circular peripheral configuration formed by a pairof diametrically opposed, spaced circular segments adapted to besupported in the circular opening of said first catch member forrotation about the center axis of said circular opening, and a dependingbolt portion of upwardly opening channel-shaped configuration defining achannel having parallel sides elongated diametrically of the headportionand integrally joined at their upper ends to said segments forreceiving and embracing the free end portion of a key bit too effectturning of the bolt member about said center axis responsive to rotationof the key, said channel including a web at the bottom thereof defininga stop for limiting axial insertion of the key, and said bolt portionhaving a constricted region immediately below said head portiondimensioned to be r0- tatably accommodated within the normal diameterportion of said keeper aperture and a laterally projecting locking nosebelow said constricted region and adjacent said web of said channelhaving a length to pass through said keeper aperture when aligned withsaid radially enlarged sector thereof upon relative movement of the boltmember axially of the keeper aperture and underlap portions of thesecond catch member bounding the normal diameter portions of said keeperaperture when the nose member is rotated out of registry with saidradially enlarged sector to interlock said catch members againstwithdrawal from each other.

2. In a catch and lock mechanism for a hinged pair of bag frames havingaligned latch apertures including a base plate member to be secured toone of the bag frames and an elongated catch plate member hingedlycoupled at one end of said base plate member for movement between anopen and a closed position relative thereto, said catch plate memberhaving a catch tongue depending therefrom extending through said baseplate member to be selectively projected through said bag frameapertures and having a circular opening adjacent the end thereof remotefrom the hinged end, said base plate member having a keeper aperturealigned with said circular opening including a radially enlarged sectorat a selected unlocking angular position; the improvement comprising arotatable key lock bolt member formed of an integral stamping of sheetmetal having an enlarged head of circular disc-like configuration seatedin the circular opening of said catch plate member for rotation aboutthe center axis of said circular opening and an integral dependant boltportion of upwardly opening channel-shaped configuration depending fromsaid body portion and defining a channel having parallel sides forreceiving and embracing the free end portion :of a key bit to efiectturning of the bolt member about said center axis between angularlyspaced locking and unlocking positions responsive to rotation of thekey, said dependant bolt portion having a laterally projecting nose atthe lower end thereof adjacent the web of said channel to pass throughsaid keeper aperture when aligned with the radially enlarged sectorthereof and underlie portions of the base plate member angularly spacedfrom said unlocking position,

base plate member to be secured to one of the bag frames.

and an elongated catch plate member hingedly coupled at one end of saidbase plate member for movement between an open and a closed positionrelative thereto, said catch plate member having a catch tonguedepending therefrom extending through said base plate member to beselectively projected through said bag frame apertures and having acircular opening adjacent the end thereof remote from the hinged end,said baseplate member having a keeper aperture aligned with saidcircular opening including a radially enlarged sector at a selectedunlocking angular position and a smaller diameter sector angularlyspaced therefrom; the improvement comprising a rotatable key lock boltmember formed of an integral stamping of sheet metal having a top flangeof circular peripheral configuration rotatably seated in the circularopening of said catch plate member for rotation about the center axis ofsaid circular opening and an integral depending channel portion havingvertical parallel channel sides joined at their upper ends to saidflange portion for receiving and embracing the free end portion of a keybit to elfect turning of the bolt member about said center axis betweenlocking and unlockingpositions responsive to rotation of the key, saiddepending channel portion having a constricted region immediately belowsaid flange pontion dimensioned to be rotatably accommodated within thesmaller diameter sector of said keeper aperture so that the bolt membercan be rotated about said center axis from an unlocking position to alocking position, and said channel portion having a locking nose at thelower end thereof projecting laterally to a position underlying portionsof the base plate member bounding said smaller diameter sector of saidkeeper aperture when the catch plate member occupies a closed positionrelative to the base plate member, said radially enlarged sector of saidkeeper aperture being sized to accommodate passage of said locking nosetherethrough when said bolt member is in unlocking position.

i 4. A combined catch and lock for a hinged pair of bag frames havingaligned latch apertures comprising an elongated base plate member formedof sheet metal adapted to be secured to one of said bag frame members,said base plate member having a central opening therein and a keeperaperture adjacent one end thereof having a radially enlarged sector in aselected circumferential zone thereof defining an unlocking position, acatch plate assembly intercoupled with said base plate member forvertical pivotal movement about one end thereof comprising a catch platecover member in the form of a downwardly opening casing of sheet metaland a catch plate of substantially the length of said cover membercarried in nested relation in the cover member, means hingedlyconnecting said catch plate assembly to said base plate member at oneend thereof, a catch tongue depending from said catch plate extendingthrough said opening in said base plate member to be selectivelyprojected through said bag frame apertures, a rotatable key lock boltmember formed of an integral stamping of sheet metal having a headportion of circular peripheral configuration formed by a pair of spaced,substantially semi-circular segments supported in said catch plate forrotation about a center axis normal to said catch plate and a dependingbolt portion of upwardly opening channel-shaped configuration defining achannel having parallel sides elongated diametrically of the headportion and joined at their upper ends to said segments for receivingand embracing the free end portion of a key bit to effect turning of thebolt member about said center axis responsive to rotation of the key,said depending bolt portion having a constricted region adjacent saidhead portion to fit within the smaller diameter of said keeper apertureand a laterally projec ing nose below said constricted region to passthrough the radially enlarged sector of said keeper aperture whenaligned therewith upon movement of said catch plate assembly about itspivotal connection and underlap portions of the base plate memberbounding the smaller diameter portion of said keeper aperture whenrotated out of registry with said radially enlarged sec-tor to lock saidcatch plate assembly against opening movement relative V to said baseplate member.

245,465 Eggleston Aug. 9, 1881

2. IN A CATCH AND LOCK MECHANISM FOR A HINGED PAIR OF BAG FRAMES HAVINGALIGNED LATCH APERTURES INCLUDING A BASE PLATE MEMBER TO BE SECURED TOONE OF THE BAG FRAMES AND AN ELONGATED CATCH PLATE MEMBER HINGEDLYCOUPLED AT ONE END OF SAID BASE PLATE MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN ANOPEN AND A CLOSED POSITION RELATIVE THERETO, SAID CATCH PLATE MEMBERHAVING A CATCH TONGUE DEPENDING THEREFROM EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BASEPLATE MEMBER TO BE SELECTIVELY PROJECTED THROUGH SAID BAG FRAMEAPERTURES AND HAVING A CIRCULAR OPENING ADJACENT THE END THEREOF REMOTEFROM THE HINGED END, SAID BASE PLATE MEMBER HAVING A KEEPER APERTUREALIGNED WITH SAID CIRCULAR OPENING INCLUDING A RADIALLY ENLARGED SECTORAT A SELECTED UNLOCKING ANGULAR POSITION; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING AROTATABLE KEY LOCK BOLT MEMBER FORMED OF AN INTEGRAL STAMPING OF SHEETMETAL HAVING AN ENLARGED HEAD OF CIRCULAR DISC-LIKE CONFIGURATION SEATEDIN THE CIRCULAR OPENING OF SAID CATCH PLATE MEMBER FOR ROTATION ABOUTTHE CENTER AXIS OF SAID CIRCULAR OPENING AND AN INTEGRAL DEPENDANT BOLTPORTION OF UPWARDLY OPENING CHANNEL-SHAPED CONFIGURATION DEPENDING FROMSAID BODY PORTION AND DEFINING A CHANNEL HAVING PARALLEL SIDES FORRECEIVING AND EMBRACING THE FREE END PORTION OF A KEY BIT TO EFFECTTURNING OF THE BOLT MEMBER ABOUT SAID CENTER AXIS BETWEEN ANGULARLYSPACED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING POSITIONS RESPONSIVE TO ROTATION OF THEKEY, SAID DEPENDANT BOLT PORTION HAVING A LATERALLY PROJECTING NOSE ATTHE LOWER END THEREOF ADJACENT THE WEB OF SAID CHANNEL TO PASS THROUGHSAID KEEPER APERTURE WHEN ALIGNED WITH THE RADIALLY ENLARGED SECTORTHEREOF AND UNDERLIE PORTIONS OF THE BASE PLATE MEMBER ANGULARLY SPACEDFROM SAID UNLOCKING POSITION, AND SAID BOLT PORTION HAVING A CONSTRICTEDPORTION ABOVE SAID NOSE DIMENSIONED TO BE ACCOMMODATED FOR ROTATION INSAID KEEPER APERTURE.